District Governor Cacabelos Visits Premier, Welcomes Four New Members

12 minutes ago

3 min read

The Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro Premier welcomed District Governor Maureen “Mau” Cacabelos for her Official Club Visit on October 8, 2026, with an afternoon of project visits, club assessments, and fellowship. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the club’s community initiatives, review its plans and accomplishments, and celebrate the induction of four new Rotarians.

Service Projects Take Center Stage

The Governor’s visit began in Barangay Bonbon, where President Mae Grace Siao and Project Chair Michael Adame led a tour of Bonbon Elementary School to demonstrate the impact of the club’s SWISH project.

The delegation inspected the facilities and the donated water pump and filtration system, which have helped address the school’s water supply needs. With these improvements, water now reaches the entire school, providing students and teachers with better access to a basic necessity for sanitation and hygiene.

The group also visited the site of a freezer donated through one of Premier’s livelihood initiatives. The freezer supports 25 unemployed mothers by helping keep their frozen goods fresh, an important resource for sustaining their small livelihood activities.

Both visits gave Governor Cacabelos a firsthand look at how Premier’s service projects respond to practical community needs, from improving access to water in schools to supporting opportunities for mothers to earn a living.

Club Leadership Meets with District Governor

At 4:30 p.m., the delegation proceeded to Philtown Hotel for the Officers’ Meeting.

Accompanying Governor Cacabelos were Past District Governor Teresita “Tess” Navales, Assistant Governor James Dagondon, Past Assistant Governor Nards Tan, and Rotarian April Rabacon.

During the meeting, the Governor heard reports from the club’s different committees and went through her official visit checklist. The discussions provided an opportunity to review Premier’s operations, assess its progress, and discuss its plans for the Rotary year.

Four New Members Join the Premier Family

At 5:30 p.m., the gathering moved to a larger function room, where the rest of the club members joined the delegation for the Club Assembly.

Rotarian Mikaela Briones served as the evening’s host, bringing her trademark energy and confidence to the program. A rising star in Premier, Mikaela handled the microphone with the ease of a seasoned television host and the command of a classroom teacher. Being a teacher herself, she certainly knows how to keep an audience attentive.

Charter President Ilya Kristine “Batin” Ravanera delivered the welcome remarks. A stalwart figure in Premier since its founding, she set a warm and welcoming tone for the evening.

Assistant Rotary Coordinator Maria Teresa Sarraga-Malawani then acknowledged the visiting dignitaries and guests.

One of the highlights of the assembly was the induction of four new members into the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro Premier: Ricarr Chiong, Nicolai Hembrador, Mae Empedrad, and Georwin Alwag.

Immediate Past President Alisa Trena Olano delivered the charge to the incoming members, reminding them of the responsibilities and commitments that come with being a Rotarian. Governor Cacabelos then administered the induction, formally welcoming the four into the Rotary family.

The ceremony marked another milestone in Premier’s membership development efforts, bringing new perspectives and opportunities for service into the club.

Reporting Progress and Looking Ahead

With the new members officially inducted, President Mae Grace Siao presented her Club Report, outlining Premier’s activities, accomplishments, and plans for the Rotary year.

Assistant Governor James Dagondon then formally introduced Governor Cacabelos, who delivered her message to the club.

The Governor’s response was a central part of the Official Visit, bringing district leadership and club members together as Premier continued its work for the Rotary year.

The evening concluded with the formal turnover of a physical copy of the Club Report to Governor Cacabelos. The document contained Premier’s plans and projects, providing the district leadership with a record of the club’s priorities and commitments.

From the classrooms of Bonbon Elementary School to the gathering at Philtown Hotel, the Official Visit brought together the different aspects of Rotary life: meaningful community service, responsible club leadership, fellowship, and the welcoming of new members.

For the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro Premier, the day was an opportunity to share the work already underway, review its direction, and strengthen its commitment to serving the community in the months ahead.#

Comments